Poet and the Bench: Unique, Handcrafted Gifts

Photo Courtesy: Poet and the Bench

The Poet and/the Bench edit of emerging and independent designers and artists reflects the shop’s passion for discovery and a considered fascination with narrative, taste and a devotion to craft. The owners’ mission is from the heart: to elevate the relationship we have with objects of appreciation in order to create more intimate connections between the object and the maker.

Whether you’re gifting for yourself or others, their collection of small batch, limited-edition and one-of-a-kind dips into the playful, fierce and sublime across fine art, jewelry, home goods, apothecary and culinary accessories.

Thoughtful curation of these talented artists and craftspeople — and giving voice to their story — is the distinguishing factor that brings alive the warmth, refinement and engaged design experience Poet and/the Bench has craved and aims to present. Selections reflect investigations of subjects and inspirations across unique everyday essentials to investment pieces, from minimalist expressions to maximalist pops of fresh.

The shop explores a rich diversity of aesthetic genres reflecting the curious journeys of its makers — 80% are women, 70% are from the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and more than 20% are BIPOC, AAPI and LGBTQ artists.

This is also the home of custom jewelry by Poet and/the Bench co-founder and goldsmith Jeffrey Levin. Design engagement rings and wedding bands revive an old heirloom or realize a symbolic design. Each bespoke design is a considered relationship between you and Jeffrey to bring to life meaningful adornment.

The Poet and/the Bench credo:

We believe in the power of design:

We believe good design expresses both beauty and emotion, inspires people, and creates a sense of place.
We value the human-ness behind good design—the makers, their talent and the personal stories that move them.
We advocate for community as we know the collective power of good, curious people.
We do what we love to bring you things that you’ll love, for yourself and others.

11 Throckmorton Avenue (at El Paseo Lane), Mill Valley. poetandthebench.com

Offerings

Jeffrey Levin Custom

Revive an old heirloom, realize a symbolic design or design engagement rings and wedding bands. Jeffrey Levin crafts custom handmade jewelry by special order. Click through for more information on custom jewelry and to book an appointment (virtual or IRL).

Jeffrey Levin Custom Engagement Rings

Each design is a considered relationship between you and Jeffrey Levin to bring to life meaningful adornment for your most special union. Jeffrey’s process is all about making the discovery, design and selection a special, inspired experience.

Jeffrey Levin Collection

As Jeffrey’s jewelry workshop, Poet and/the Bench is where he creates an eponymous line of fine jewelry, modern streetwear designs and everyday jewelry for women and men.

Art: Ceramic Animal Sculptures

Austyn Taylor’s artistic vision grows from a pop-folk aesthetic drawing from animism and animation. Her visual thesis centers on belonging, the inner strength conjured in alienation and the surprising joy of unconditional love.

Art: Paintings

Contemporary art with an emphasis on narrative in landscape, farmhouses and barns, expressive abstract paintings, modern portraits and encaustic mixed media collage.

Art: Photography

This work is about the visual experience… and not letting the tools stand in the way. So you step into the image and become part of a transition of time and space in one moment.

Jewelry

Fine jewelry to the every day. The variety explores a rich diversity of aesthetic genres, from the fierce to the sublime, reflecting the curious journeys of our makers and customers.

Ceramics

Small batch, wheel thrown and hand built pottery combines elegant, minimalist and experimental serving ware and home decor. Inspired by American midcentury, Scandinavian, and midcentury and contemporary Japanese design. Most items are one of a kind or limited edition.